Lil Nas X declined a request from South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg to collaborate with the singer of "Old Town Road" on a rendition of the viral hit at a conference organized by BuzzFeed News.
Titled Internet Live, BuzzFeed's event was held on Thursday and brought together a number of politicians and pop stars. Buttigieg was scheduled to appear but dropped out after Lil Nas refused to collaborate with him. The singer said that his opposition was not to Buttigieg personally, but he did not want to seem to be endorsing any one candidate.
Buttigieg, for his own, part showed support for Lil Nas X when he came out as gay in late June.
"As a fan, I’m thrilled and inspired to see him standing in his truth as a member of the LGBTQ community," Buttigieg tweeted. "Welcome to the family!"
.@LilNasX has gone from viral sensation to groundbreaking musician. As a fan, I’m thrilled and inspired to see him standing in his truth as a member of the LGBTQ community. Welcome to the family! #pride https://t.co/H81iXxCII6
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) July 3, 2019
Lil Nas X has collaborated with a number of other celebrities on the remixes of "Old Town Road," including Billy Ray Cyrus, Keith Urban, BTS, and Young Thug.
Buttigieg has also had his share of celebrity collaborations, performing alongside Ben Folds at a South Bend event in 2015. Buttigieg has also gained plaudits from the indie band Spoon, for his rendition of "The Way We Get By."
While in college at Harvard University, Buttigieg styled himself as a music aficionado, writing a column for the Harvard Crimson calling the Dave Matthews Band the "prophet of the carefree joy of my high school years." He also wrote approvingly of Radiohead's 2003 album Hail to the Thief, referencing its opening track 2+2=5 in a column decrying President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
Buttigieg has also been known to play the piano, an instrument he's played since he was four, on the campaign trail, leaving his event attendees to judge the extent of his skills.
The kid's been playing the piano since he was four. https://t.co/RhtIpypwYF
— Nic Rowan (@NicXTempore) June 9, 2019